Free low-quality product - not indulgence

    In another discussion about one free program and claims to it slipped:

    I just do not understand the indignation, I do not like the FREE service / software - do not use it. Why yell about it all over Ivanovskaya? .. Find an analogue that will suit you.


    Of course, we all know that free cheese is only in a mousetrap (according to this wisdom, all users of free software will end their days under a metal bar with a broken neck).

    But at the same time there is an elementary culture of market relations, there are also laws. Our culture is amazingly underdeveloped, so even the legislative framework that exists is not working.

    So, it doesn’t matter at all whether you paid for something or not (unless, of course, you stole it). In any case, there is a contract between the parties, part of which are advertising promises and information about a product or service.

    For example, as part of a promotion, they give you a mug. Moreover, it is obvious that you can drink from it, that its material and paint do not interact with the contents, etc. That is, you are sure that you can drink from a free mug, like from any other. And if this is not the case, you can sue the giver. Because the mug itself is a promise that it can be used as a mug, unless otherwise stated (for example, that it is an exclusively decorative design made of toxic materials). Otherwise, it will be a deliberate misrepresentation of the consumer.

    Another example. Volunteer or social work, for example, as a doctor or psychologist. Such a service is free for consumers, and in case of volunteering service providers are also not paid.

    Now imagine that the free medical care is provided not by a doctor with a special education, but simply by a local madman who has nothing to do. He does not treat you, but cripples. Your legal claims are answered: what did you want for free? go look for another free honey. help, if you don’t like that you died from ours.

    The examples are not accidental, since free software can be interpreted as manufacturer’s advertising (oh, you wrote such good software, and do it for us for the money), as an advertising gift for the sale of other products (want to know how to use our free cheese? Pay technical support!), as a volunteer activity of programmers (I want to benefit people without requiring anything in return).

    So here.

    “This is a mug, we give it to you for free” - this is information about the product and certain promises regarding it that need to be fulfilled.

    “This is a red cross, we treat you for free” - this is information about the service and promises regarding its quality that need to be fulfilled.

    “This [such-and-such] software” is product information, meaning that the software must meet [such-and-such] expectations.

    That is, for example, if the manufacturer says that this is an office suite, and when it starts, a bunny just jumps on the screen, then this is at least a violation of culture, and in certain circumstances a violation of the law.

    Imagine a situation when a hundred people shout at the bazaar, for example, a “free office”, but in reality it turns out that in 98 cases they are tattered bast shoes and holey samovars. It would be extremely difficult for you to find what you need in such conditions. And liars from the bazaar would be driven out so that others would not interfere with work.

    Free software, as soon as it is called a specific type of software and began to give other promises to the user, either explicit or hidden, it no longer has the right to not fulfill promises or cause direct harm to the user, justifying itself by its free nature.

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